A Portadown man accused of beating a woman with a plank of wood, a hammer and a guitar at his home has promised a judge he will come straight back to prison after being granted compassionate bail.
Conor James McConville, of Portmore Street, was allowed leave from prison for eight hours this coming Monday, February 10, to check on his house, which has reportedly been left in a “state of disarray” following a burglary.
The 32-year-old, who is currently on remand, is facing charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing offensive weapons.
McConville is also accused of spraying deodorant in the alleged victim’s eyes during an argument but maintains he only acted in self-defence after being struck on the head with a whisky bottle.
Appearing at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via videolink from Maghaberry, McConville’s defence informed the court that he wished to seek compassionate bail from 9 am to 5 pm on Monday to inspect his property.
A Detective Constable, objecting to bail, confirmed that “it’s in a state of disarray.”
The DC said McConville, who has 157 prior convictions, “may seek out this victim.”
He added: “The defendant has an extensive history of offending whilst on bail, with 22 previous breaches recorded, which demonstrates his inability to adhere to bail conditions. He may also be a flight risk in that he has seven previous bench warrants issued against him, the most recent of which was on the ninth of January last year.”
McConville’s defence counsel contended that his client, when on bail for a period of two months, did not attempt to contact the victim or show signs of being a flight risk, stating that “he’s never left the country in his life,” and the breach of bail was a result of consuming alcohol.
“I don’t think it’s an unreasonable request,” before adding, “there’s an extra issue as well in that he tried to make a complaint of burglary to the liaison officer in the prison, but unless he examines it himself and goes out to see what’s stolen and what’s broken, which only he can do, he can’t make a proper complaint to the police and have the burglary investigated properly.”
District Judge Peter Magill, in granting the bail application, remarked: “Here’s the thing, Mr McConville, are you going to promise me that you will stick to it if I let you out on Monday?”
To which McConville simply replied: “Yes, Your Worship.”
“No messing about? No drink, no drugs, nothing like that. Just go to the house, check it out, and then get back.”
McConville agreed to each before thanking the judge.
